Traceback (most recent call last):
File "site-packages\calibre\library\restore.py", line 116, in run
File "site-packages\calibre\library\restore.py", line 279, in replace_db
WindowsError: [Error 32] The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process

Traceback (most recent call last):
File "site-packages\calibre\library\restore.py", line 116, in run
File "site-packages\calibre\library\restore.py", line 279, in replace_db
WindowsError: [Error 32] The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process

Is there anything I can do, other than start over?

Was the above the contents of the 'Show details'?

BTW Some OTHER program is accessing a file. be sure to:
1: Do a Cold reboot (not a resume from a sleep.
2: Stop the content server (if running)
3: exclude the Calibre Library folder from Anti-virus scans

BTW Some OTHER program is accessing a file. be sure to:
1: Do a Cold reboot (not a resume from a sleep.
2: Stop the content server (if running)
3: exclude the Calibre Library folder from Anti-virus scans

Yes, this is what I got under 'Show Details'. I will do a cold boot and get my resident geek help me with numbers 2 and 3.

Thank you for such a prompt reply - I'll report back tomorrow with the results.

I turned the computer off and left it off all night and today. Took the thumb drive with the library out before starting up. Only program running was Chrome (downloading the newest Calibre. I don't use dropbox or anything like it, don't share the library with any other programs or users. It just lives on the thumb drive.

Opened the program, asked to use the library, says corrupted, goes through the 3 steps again...and comes back with the same error message.

A quick synopsis, assuming that the correct library is chosen when you start calibre. If you are using calibre portable or if you are using environment variables, the following won't work. It also probably won't help if the problem is caused by some program other than calibre (e.g., an antivirus program or something else) holding the database open, although it might because the timing is very different.

1) open a command box. One way to do this is Start -> Run. Type cmd and press return.
2) type "calibredb restore_database --really-do-it" (without the quotes).
3) watch the messages go by while you wait ...

I have not been able to try anything for the past few days.....I tried copying the file to the hard drive...no change. Chaley and cybmole, I'm afraid I don't understand what you're suggesting - it's way above my tech knowledge.

I did try starting with a fresh install of Calibre, and when the blank library came up, I connected the Kindle that has the most books on it and said to add books from the device. It seems to have done that, and I think I've got the plugboard set up properly. I can't figure out how to save the new library. I ejected the Kindle, and now I can see the list of books, but can't seem to get it to save the library.

The fresh install - blank library should have become your saved library as soon as you added books- that happens automatically, you just now need to find "where" it was saved to, if you want to take a copy.
(if you select switch/create library you will see a "your library is currently located at... line at top of pop up screen)

Now just one more problem. I had the old one set up to show my books thusly:

Marple -01 - Murder at the Vicarage
Marple -02 - The Body in the Library

and so forth. I know I have to put the instructions in a plugboard, but I can't seem to get the proper syntax or punctuation (VERY embarrassing for an English major). A little more help, if you don't mind?

select add books from calibre menu and tell it to use the old, corrupt library location. the books should still be intact & recoverable, ( it's only the database information that is corrupt)

i think you want the 2nd drop down option when you click the down arrow next to add books icon. it should ask you what to do about duplicates as it finds them - it should find duplicates as you say you have 1/3rd of the books already.

the other, slower way to do this is to browse to where the old library is, using windows explorer, then drop and drag each book, as you find it, onto the main calibre window. that action causes calibre to add that book to new library

I can't advise on the plugboard stuff, but I'm sure someone else will help.